2008 International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition

Professional Class Winning Entries

Designers focused on aluminum’s environmentally sound characteristics in their entries for the ET Foundation’s 2008 International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition. The winning designs from the Competition were announced during the Ninth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar and Exposition (ET ’08) in Orlando, Florida. The Foundation received nearly 100 entries from students and professionals across the United States, Canada and abroad.

Grand Prize: GO Trailer—Tom Reeder, Tom Dempsey, Kyle Mundt
1st Place Engineered Products: Gorlov Helical Turbine (GHT)—Mark Cosby
Honorable Mention Engineered Products: IVS X-Ray Tube Accessory—Edwin Wood; Outdoor Electronic Equipment Enclosure—Jessica Tebbe
1st Place Structural: Aluminum Modular Bridge System—Alex de la Chevrotiere
Honorable Mention Structural: Green Latch Curtainwall/Window Wall System—Christopher Trovel
Transportation: Electric Motocycle Frame—Sapa Profiles, Inc.

GRAND PRIZE: GO Trailer, submitted by Tom Reeder, Tom Dempsey, Kyle Mundt of Sylvan Sport

The Grand Prize across all Classes with an award of $5,000 was presented to Tom Reeder, Tom Dempsey, and Kyle Mundt for their design of an adventure sport convertible trailer/camper, entitled the GO Trailer. The GO Trailer is a multi-configurable trailer/camper that can be used to haul anything from kayaking, motocross and bicycling equipment to home improvement materials. "This utility trailer has multiple uses and is just a great application of aluminum," said competition judge John Funai of Werner Extrusions of Lake Forest, Illinois. "Being only 800 pounds, just about any automobile can pull it and will most likely save on fuel cost compared to a standard steel trailer." The use of aluminum makes the GO lightweight, durable, 100-percent recyclable, and allowed for the incorporation of features that created flexibility in the design.

FIRST PLACE Engineered Products: Gorlov Helical Turbine (GHT), submitted by Mark Cosby of Lucid Energy Technologies, LLC

The winner in the Engineered Products Category was Mark Cosby of Lucid Energy Technologies, LLC for his Gorlov Helical Turbine (GHT) design. This hydrokinetic electricity generation device is another example of how aluminum is an exceptionally superior material to use in green products. The GHT has the ability to provide electrical power to remote areas around the world, so long as there is a moving water way. This free-flow turbine is self-starting, which reduces the need for starting motors, light-weight, rust-proof, and 100-percent recyclable.

Honorable Mention Engineered Products: IVS X-Ray Tube Accessory, submitted by Edwin Wood of Stanford University at Easton, Connecticut

Mounting ring for mounting various accessories, including a laser centering device and filter changer.

 

Honorable Mention Engineered Products: Outdoor Electronic Equipment  Enclosure, submitted by Jessica Tebbe of CURRENT Technologies, Germantown, Maryland

Enclosure for electronic equipment that must withstand extreme temperatures, rain, humidity, and sun exposure; design replaces die cast enclosure.

 

FIRST PLACE Structural: Aluminum Modular Bridge System, submitted by Alex de la Chevrotiere of Maadigroup

The winner in the Structural Category was Alex de la Chevrotiere of MAADI Group for his Aluminum Modular Bridge System design. This design has the potential to be used in golf courses, trails, wetlands, and numerous other places as an environmentally friendly walkway. It could also be used as a skyway or a prefabricated walkway designed to be added onto existing bridges in order to provide pedestrians access without narrowing traffic lane size.

Honorable Mention Structural: Green Latch Curtainwall/Window Wall System, submitted by Christopher Trovel, Imperial Glassworks

Energy-efficient curtainwall/window wall system. Click on image at left for full size.

FIRST PLACE Transportation: Electric Motorcycle Frame, submitted by Randy Johnson of Sapa Profiles, Inc.

In the Transportation Category, submitted by Randy Johnson of Sapa Profiles, Inc. won for the design of the Electric Motorcycle Frame, a frame used for a full-size electric street motorcycle. This motorcycle promotes the connection between the use of aluminum and environmental sustainable products. "This electric motorcycle frame has energy savings potential," noted competition judge Funai. Slated to be released to the general public this year, this full-size electric street motorcycle uses state-of-the-art aluminum frame materials for the mainframe of the structure. Click on the chart at right to see full size.